The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-08-18
OLD POSTAGE-STAMPS.
Romantic Story OF an Old Hair
Trunk.

The sun had gone down behind the hills,
but the peaks of the western mountains
were still bathed in sunlight and covered
with that glory no painters brush can re-
produce. The shadow that had fallen COW
cred the small, but quaint and picturesque
farmhouse to its chimney-top and stretched
across the closely cropped green meadow
land and up the sloping hillside, its yellow
stubble taking golden tint that deepened
Mt the edges Of the irregular swaths, as if
labor had set its signature upon the field.
The sunlight still danced in the topmost
branches Of the tall maple that stood on the
crest when a wagon was driven slowly up
the little hlac-lined lane that led to the
barn. Before the wheels could have been
heard by any but an anxious and waiting
ear, a sweetfaced woman whose hair alone
betrayed the fact that she was far beyond
the middle age came to the door and was at
the side of the wagon as the driver slowly
descended.
''Don't grieve, father" she said, taking
his hand ''The darkest cloud has silver
lining. We have Dick still"
"And that's all, mother" he replied, with
catch in his voice.
The woman's sensitive face paled and
seemed to grow older in a moment, for
though her husbands manner had shown
that his mission had failed some hope had
still remained despite her brave words, and
while expecting the blow that would de-
prive them of the house and land upon
which both had lived since childhood, there
had been expectation that some way out of
it might be found or that the blow might be
h some way softened.
''Then Nichols would not give you timer"
''Not day. He is merciless, and the sale
will take place Saturday. He must have the
rash, he says, on Saturday, and will only
sell for money down. Williams is away in
New York Isaw every one who might be
able to let me have the money, but none
could lend so much by Saturday. He will
buy it in himself. Barker says he can get
the money ior me in ten days, but when 1
asked Nichols to give NE one more week,
he replied that he had not forgotten his
oath if had.''
''The villain?" said the woman, indig-
nantly. "But is it legal, fatherf' she
asked. "Can he rob US of a farm worth six
times the mortgage and have the law on
his slider"
81 asked Squire Andrews, and he went
a over the papers carefully. He has planned
his vengeance well,' Andrews said. Every
legal form has been complied with and he
added that ! would be morally, but not
legally, justified in shooting him.
''Poor Dickln said the mother. "Come,
father, the house is ours for three days
longer anyway. Something may happen.
Let US talk of other things. Supper is
ready and Dick is coming across the field"
While talking the light wagon had been
put in the carriage-house and the horse had
been fed and watered. -
1t was easy to see that the bright-faced,
broad shouldered young man who met them
at the door was their son and that he was a
mothers boy" His arm fell naturally
around her waist, and he stopped to kiss
her as they passed into the kitchen.
''Wcll, Mimi, are you ready TO feed bear
after his winters sleepl" he asked, play
fully. "Why, mother, there are tears in
your eyesI Father what is the matterl" he
asked, as for the first time he saw his
drawn, set face.
His mothers arhIs were around his neck,
and she was crying softly on his breast.
at means, Dick that Nichols bought the
mortgage from Secor before he went to
Mexico; Il has been due, as you know, for
four years, but Nichols did not want the
money and wished ne to let it run on, as 1
needed it more than he did Secor knew
that Nichols was my son-in-lsw, and from
what Nichols said supposed he wanted to
ctear it OF. Secor told Jim Ferguson that
he was going to do it."
''Secor did not know how he treated
Neilief' asked Dick. r ~ .-
1'No," was the weary reply. "Even you,
Dick, don't know that when / brought
Nellie home-a wreck, dying from his
brutal treatment-that he swore an oath to
have revenge on me and mine, because l
would not let him take her back to the city
10 die. He hated her because she would
not help him in his wickedness, and when
he saw her days were numbered, told her
shat she would never see one Of us while
she lived and none of US would know where
she was buried when she was dead. A
friend Of hers wrote to me. Invent to New
York and brought her home. When he
came, in hot haste for her, kicked him
out. You were only little lad Of five then,
Dick. BE has waited all these years and
now he has his revenge"
.'But how, father2 We can easily pay the
81 900 in q week or ten days"
'sHe has given me the legal thirty days'
notice by publication in the Bloomfield
Register, which never comes to this post
ofice. Mrs. Winters saw it yesterday and
sent me word. The sale is for SATURDAY..
He requires spot cash. No one can get
sl.200in in so short time, and he will buy it
himself
The young mans eyes blazed. ''If he
does-if he dares to show himself-I will
put a bullet in him"
The mothers arms were around him.
His father laid his hand upon his shoulder
leave him to God, Dick; don't make our
burden harder than we can bear. Let us
have our boy for the few years yet left to
us-n
Remember SUSIE" sobbed the mother
The young man conquered his emotion,
kissed his mother and shook his fathers
hand-the Anglo-Saxon caress between
males. Women kiss; men shake hands.
Il viii do nothing rash; nothing to bring
YOU additional worry; but If meet him he
will have to keep his temper. Come, let US